Follow the line of least resistance. If it means the climb isn't a 5.xx then whatever.

It is true that one should follow the easiest path up a climb, but not if the easiest path is clearly off route. I have seen people put themselves in danger by going far to the side of the bolt line to try to skip the crux moves. I would rather climb a harder, but safe path than an easier but dangerous path. Plus, if you skip the crux you change the grade of the climb. Some might not care about that, but some do.